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Members tell us they love our educational programmes, with a trainee remarking of one, "the best single course I have attended in the last year". We now offer a standard 25% discount to our members, with further reductions for trainees.

Female genital mutilation - resources

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a collective term for a range of procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM, and taking a child abroad for the purpose of FGM, is child abuse. It is illegal in the UK and is a violation of human rights.

FGM enhanced dataset from Health and Social Care Information Centre

HSCIC collects data on FGM in England on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to support the FGM Prevention Programme. In April 2015, the FGM Enhanced Dataset was launched. This dataset contains some patient identifiable demographic data and is extending the collection to include mental health trusts and GP practices.

The following organisations have to meet the requirements of the FGM Enhanced dataset standard as of 1 October 2015:

BPSU study - FGM in children and young people under the age of 16 in the UK and ROI

This surveillance study started in November 2015. The study team hopes to identify the number of children who are diagnosed with FGM in the UK and Republic of Ireland each year and collect information about FGM, how it presents in children and is treated.

Learn more about the project [add link]

Mandatory reporting in England and Wales

In October 2015 a mandatory duty was introduced requiring regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report ‘known’ (visually identified or verbally disclosed) cases of FGM in under 18s to the police.

The duty does not apply in relation to at risk or suspected cases, or in cases where the woman is over 18. In these cases, professionals should follow existing local safeguarding procedures.

The Home Office has published information for professionals and the police on the new duty.

The Department of Health and Social Care, in partnership with the RCPCH and others, have also released a quick guide for professionals, and additional materials for staff and patients.

Quick guidance (PDF) – a 2-page summary of the duty including a process flowchart